Breaking into the Blogosphere: Andrew Huff on His Career as a Professional Blogger
His first name is among the top 15 most popular male names in the United States.
The six-letter combo seems generic enough.
Yet, when typed into Google, the search engine renders his persona among its first page of results.
How did Andrew Huff become so prominent on the World Wide Web?
Blogging.
Andrew Huff speaks with journalism students at DePaul University
Huff visited with an online journalism class at DePaul University on Wednesday to enlighten the young, budding journalists on where the media is headed.
Huff started blogging back in 2001 with a simple and straightforward blog about all things in his life and all things Chicago. Looking back at the original site he set up using Tripod, he finds humor in seeing how far he has come.
Over time, Huff noticed many other individuals around the Chicago area breaking into the blogosphere. In 2003, Huff collaborated with designer, Naz Hamid to create Gapers Block, an online publication focused on the Windy City.
Since its start seven years ago, Gapers Block has grown from 12 volunteers to 80 staff members. The web publication has also received praise as “Best Chicago Web site,” among many other honors.
The Web site was recently awarded a grant from the Chicago Community Trust, an endowment given to fund local reporting. Gapers Block was 1 of 12 organizations to receive the grant.
Aside from his work as editor and publisher of Gapers Block, Huff is a full-time professional blogger. His personal blog has since relocated to me3dia, where you can continue to read up on his findings and interests, connect over Twitter, and view his Flickr account.
Huff also works as a social media consultant for companies across the map, from Kenneth Cole to A&E television’s Paranormal State.
Throughout his career, Huff has learned the importance of keeping up with the changing media. You’ve always got to be one step ahead of the game. Online media are all about easy access to information.
In quoting Professor Jeff Jarvis, editor of BuzzMachine.com, Huff closed with, “Write what you know and link to the rest.”
